Fayette County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Fayette County?

Public records in Fayette County, Georgia, are defined under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, data, data fields, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of the operation of a public office or agency. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these materials from the appropriate custodial office.

Fayette County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple departments and offices. The following record types are currently available to the public:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may access indexed court documents through the county's judicial records portal, which covers land and property records as well as civil and criminal case files.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court and the Tax Assessor's Office.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and trade name registrations are maintained by the Fayette County Business License Division.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are held by the Fayette County Tax Commissioner and Tax Assessor.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Fayette County Board of Elections and Registration.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Board of Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are available through the County Clerk's office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are maintained by the Fayette County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning applications, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Division.

Is Fayette County an Open Records County?

Fayette County fully complies with Georgia's open records framework. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, all public agencies in Georgia are required to provide access to public records within three business days of receiving a written request, or to provide a written description of the records sought and a timetable for production if the records cannot be produced within that period. This statute applies to all county offices, constitutional officers, and agencies operating within Fayette County.

Georgia's Open Records Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records. Key provisions of the Act include the presumption that all government records are open unless a specific statutory exemption applies, and the requirement that agencies respond promptly and in good faith to all records requests. Fayette County's compliance with these provisions is reflected in its open records request system, which allows members of the public to submit requests for a wide range of county records, including 911 calls for service, Sheriff's Office records, court records, and elections and voter records. Georgia's Sunshine Laws further require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that notice be provided in advance.

How to Find Public Records in Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public may access Fayette County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for obtaining records:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or office maintains the records being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; property and tax records by the Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner; law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office; and municipal records by the City of Fayetteville or other incorporated municipalities.
Submit an online request. Fayette County provides a centralized open records request form for submitting requests electronically. Separate request pathways are available for 911 calls, Sheriff's Office records, court records, and election records.
Search court records online. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains an indexed records search tool that allows name-based searches of court filings and land records without submitting a formal request.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during regular business hours. No appointment is required for general inspection of open records.
Submit a written request by mail or fax. Requests may also be submitted in writing to the appropriate office. The City of Fayetteville accepts open records requests directed to Fayetteville Municipal Court, Attn: Open Records, 760 Jimmie Mayfield Blvd., Fayetteville, GA 30215, Fax: 770-460-4231.
Await agency response. Under current Georgia law, agencies must respond within three business days. If records require additional time to compile, the agency must provide written notice and an estimated production date.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fayette County?

Fayette County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Georgia law. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, and production of records, as well as for copying. Current standard fees applicable to most county offices include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter- or legal-size documents
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified court documents typically carry a per-page certification fee set by the Clerk of Superior Court
Electronic records: Agencies may charge for the actual cost of producing records in electronic format, including staff time for search and retrieval when the request is for a large volume of records
Staff time: When a request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to fulfill, agencies may charge for the cost of the personnel involved in search and retrieval

Accepted payment methods vary by office and currently include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Georgia law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as for requests made by news media organizations or nonprofit entities acting in the public interest.

Does Fayette County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Georgia's Open Records Act. Agencies are not permitted to charge for the mere inspection of records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect any non-exempt public record at the custodial office at no charge during regular business hours.
Online court records search: The Clerk of Superior Court provides free access to indexed court and land records through the county's name-based records search portal, which does not require registration or payment.
County courts information: General information about the Fayette County justice system, including court divisions and their functions, is available at no cost through the Fayette County Courts page.
Online request submission: Submitting an open records request through the county's electronic portal carries no filing fee.

Who Can Request Public Records in Fayette County?

Any person may request public records in Fayette County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Georgia's Open Records Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, and members of the public are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request when seeking access to open records. The following conditions apply under current law:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Georgia and Fayette County retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification: Not required for general open records requests, though certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes when producing certified copies.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types. Agencies may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or tax records, follow the same general process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, including sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by authorized parties, such as the subject of the record, legal counsel, or by court order.

What Records Are Confidential in Fayette County?

Not all government records in Fayette County are open to public inspection. Georgia law establishes specific categories of exempt records under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, which enumerates the following types of records as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Georgia law.
Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt from disclosure while the investigation is pending.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted from records prior to public release.
Medical records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure.
Adoption records — Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only by court order or to authorized parties.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to final disciplinary actions or terminations of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Records containing trade secrets submitted to a government agency in the course of a regulatory process are exempt from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise public safety.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Georgia courts apply a balancing test in cases where the public interest in disclosure must be weighed against the privacy interests protected by a specific exemption.

Fayette County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Fayette County, maintaining land records, court filings, and other instruments required by law to be recorded.

Fayette County Clerk of Superior Court One Center Drive, Suite 100, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 716-4290 Fayette County Courts Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fayette County Tax Assessor's Office 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 108, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 305-5402 Fayette County Tax Assessor Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fayette County Tax Commissioner's Office 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 109, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 461-3652 Fayette County Tax Commissioner Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fayette County Sheriff's Office 155 Johnson Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 461-6353 Fayette County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fayette County Board of Elections and Registration 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 208, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (770) 305-5408 Fayette County Elections Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

City of Fayetteville — Open Records 760 Jimmie Mayfield Blvd., Fayetteville, GA 30215 Fax: (770) 460-4231 Fayetteville Open Records Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.